Watch the London community support officers (they're not real cops, but deputied volunteers who fancy themselves real ones) as they confront a videographer who has the temerity to take footage of a public street. It starts with a sudden gloved hand over the camera lens, then it's "give me a good reason why you're filming," then it's on to "papers please"; and when the guy behind the camera, sensibly enough, asks under which law he's not allowed to film there, the bully-boy hisses "shut up." Twice.

To be clear, there is no law against taking photos — or video — in a public space. Not in the U.K., anyway. Not in the U.S., either. Know your rights, and assert them. Let them atrophy, and, like never-used muscles, they begin to disappear.

That guy had no argument whatsoever, and didn't think the photographer would answer back. That's what mixed him up.
I think it's disgusting.

Just on a side note if that was a police officer instead would they have the power to confiscate your camera if they wanted in that situation?